The historic boutique hotel near downtown and the UT campus offers $25 day passes by reservation (up to one week in advance: email concierge@hotelella.com). Passes can be used Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. ). Pass purchase includes courtyard access, a towel, and valet parking.

The Westin offers free rooftop pool and deck access to the public daily, 4pm-midnight. The rooftop bar is Monday-Wednesday, noon-11 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m.-midnight; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-midnight; and Sunday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Caveats: “Cover charge may apply for the public for special events. Management may change hours and pricing due to business needs, weather, capacity, and special events.” So just call first, easy peasy.

A fave downtown hotel where locals like to hang out, the W has a fourth-floor deck with private cabanas, designer chaise lounges, tanning shelves, two outdoor showers ,and a fireplace. The hotel offers offers complimentary access to its deck and happy hours Monday-Friday after 5 p.m. Non-guests can purchase $10 day passes for access Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Private cabanas or kasbahs are also rented to the public for a fee and a minimal spend, Caveats: “Not valid on holiday weekends. Some restrictions and black-out dates apply. No refunds on unused tickets. Cabanas & kasbahs are reserved for hotel guests on Saturdays only.”

A dip in downtown’s JW Marriott pool sounds fantastic if you can afford it. You’ll need to rent (or reserve) a cabana, which offer seating for 8-10, your own 55-inch flat-screen TV, a dedicated sound system, cabana-side food and beverage service, and more. The hotel hasn’t yet published its 2019 prices, but in 2018, cabana rental required $250 to $500 food and beverage minimums depending on the day and holiday rental fees but no minimums.

The Line offers $25 weekday pool passes for its infinity pool overlooking the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge, Town Lake, and the Austin skyline. Passes can be purchased starting at 11 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays at hotel/pool bar, Dean’s One Trick Pony and include parking validation. Caveat: Availability is limited. In addition, BossBabes ATX will host a monthly residency highlighting the work of 10 to 15 Texas-based women and non-binary visual and musical artists on the pool deck every first Thursday through September, 8 p.m.-11 p.m.

The Fairmont has pass options for its rooftop pool, starting at $35, as well as spa passes (adults only)

starting at $40. Pool passes include access to the pool and whirlpool, poolside food and drink service, and complimentary wifi. Passes for both start at $65. Pool hours are 6 a.m.-10 p,m (food service is 11 a.m.-5 p.m.), and spa hours are 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Like many luxury spots, the Van Zandt offers pool day passes, every day from 11 a.m. to sundown, through Resort Pass, starting at $35/$15 for children. Passes offer access to the pool and deck as well as to food and drink service from Geraldine’s, the hotel’s popular bar and restaurant. There are also cabanas of varying sizes available to rent, with prices depending on size and other factors. In addition to the Resort Pass route, the hotel has a new HVZ Afterhours: Stargaze Swim. Starting this month (July 29) and on the last Mondays of August and September, the hotel will open the pool deck to the neighborhood at sundown until the pool closes for “cosmic cocktails, stellar snacks (moon pies!), and a late night swim.”

The South Congress little “motor hotel” that could has undergone numerous transformations since it opened in 1938, and it’s currently a bright, fun, and popular spot that still makes terrific use of its throwback kidney-shaped pool. That includes offering $20 day passes (discounted on Sundays) available at the hotel front desk starting at 8 a.m. daily. You can also swim for free on at Full Moon Swims presented by Austin Motel and Joann’s Fine Foods, on the following days: May 18, June 17, July 16, August 15, September 14, and October 13.

The stylish boutique hotel just up South Congress from the other stylish boutique hotels offers $30 day passes Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Pass purchase includes a pool and pool bar access, and pool towels. Reservations available up to one week in advance.